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Isolation and Characterization of an Adipokinetic Hormone Release-Inducing Factor in Locusts: The Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide

Laboratory for Developmental Physiology and Molecular Biology, Zoological Institute K. U. Leuven (D.V., J.V.B., L.S., A.D.L.), Leuven, Belgium; and the Department of Experimental Zoology, University of Utrecht (P.P., H.G.B.V., J.H.B.D.), Utrecht, The Netherlands; and the Department of Biochemistry, Physiology and Microbiology, Universiteit Gent (B.D., J.V.B.), Gent, Belgium

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. J. Vanden Broeck, Laboratory for Developmental Physiology and Molecular Biology, Zoological Institute K. U. Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. E-mail: Jozef.VandenBroeck{at}bio.kuleuven.ac.be

A methanolic extract of 7000 desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) brains contains several factors that stimulate the in vitro release of adipokinetic hormone (AKH) by glandular cells of locust (Locusta migratoria and Schistocerca gregaria) corpora cardiaca. The most potent one has now been fully identified. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry-time of flight analysis revealed a mass of 954.6 Da. The primary structure of the peptide, Pro-Phe-Cys-Asn-Ala-Phe-Thr-Gly-Cys-NH₂, appeared identical to that of a previously identified crustacean cardioactive peptide. This myotropin was first isolated from the shore crab, Carcinus maenas, and later from several insect species, but was never reported in the context of AKH release.

The present study shows that synthetic crustacean cardioactive peptide induces the release of AKH from corpora cardiaca in a dose-dependent manner when tested in concentrations ranging from 10^-5-10^-9 M. This is the first demonstration in invertebrates of a peptide neurohormone controlling the release of a second peptide hormone.

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